‘EP’s Turkey report prepared by extremist politicians’

RABAT, Morocco (Rahnuma) : The European Parliament report passed this week urging the suspension of Turkey’s EU accession process was prepared under the helm of “racist and extremist politicians,” said Turkey’s parliament speaker on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the European Parliament voted against Turkey’s EU accession negotiations and called on European countries to formally suspend the process.

“Turkey has shown its sincerity regarding its EU [membership process] and stability in its goals. It’s also saddening for the EU, as this decision came just a very short time before the start of [resumed] negotiations,” Sentop said, referring to a Turkey-EU Association Council meeting on Friday, the first in four years.

The EU faces an “identity crisis,” he added.

“After the U.K.’s decision to leave the bloc, the EU has suffered a great deal of damage within the framework of its political dimensions. Many EU member states are discussing whether or not they will remain together,” Sentop said.

On Wednesday, the report to suspend Turkey’s EU negotiations passed by a vote of 370-109, with 143 abstentions.